Preston FE teacher on why male role models in education matter more than ever

Research shows 1 in 10 young people in the UK report low wellbeing, with teens ranking among the least satisfied globally. The release of Netflix's Adolescence has only sharpened the nation's focus on the issue, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling out the "emerging and growing problem" of toxic online influences on teenage boys.

- By Hamid Cavaye Contributor

In the North, 54% of parents say it is important to have an FE teacher of the same gender as their children, while 1 in 5 believe there is a shortage of male role models in the FE teaching. These teachers play in providing positive role models for young men.

One such figure is David Singleton, an FE teacher at Myerscough College in Preston, who has spent 35 years teaching Agriculture.

The FE sector provides training for learners aged 16+, reaching young men at a prime time in their development from boys to adults. David's story is a powerful reminder that FE teachers are not just educators - they are mentors, guides, and role models who help shape the values and aspirations of the next generation. He shares: